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Reader Question: Lining up Dual Monitors


Question:

Hi Tony, merry Christmas!I read your article about dual monitors on Microsoft’s site, and was wondering if you could answer a question for me. I understand if you can’t reply, but I thought I’d give it a shot.

I recently set up dual monitors on my system, and have noticed that when I drag a window, or even move my mouse across from monitor one to monitor two, everything on monitor two is about two inches below monitor one.

To clarify, moving the mouse straight across from monitor 1 to monitor 2, the cursor drops about two inches. The desktop wallpapers appear properly though.

Any ideas how to correct this? I’ll be glad to give you any system info you require. Thanks!

Answer:

Dual monitors can be flakey in both Windows XP and Vista. This is an easy fix, though.
1. Open the Display Settings dialog:

  • In Windows Vista, click Start, and then click Control Panel. Under Appearance and Personalization, click Adjust screen resolution.
  • In Windows XP, right-click the Desktop, and then click Properties. Then, click the Display tab.

2. The two monitor icons are probably not aligned. Drag them so they’re lined up, just as your physical monitors are. You should also double-click the resolutions. Then, click OK.

That’s it!

For more information, read the Windows Vista Resource Kit (co-authored by your very own Tony Northrup). Got a question for Tony? Send an e-mail to qa@vistaclues.com.

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Posted: January 3rd, 2007 under Reader Questions, Windows XP.
Comments: 4

Comments

Comment from Joe Johnston
Time: February 24, 2007, 9:01 pm

New question - after successfully using your steps to set up dual monitors with Windows XP, moving programs and tasks across both screens works fine. Except, when I move Windows Media Center to the secondary monitor it will not allow the cursor to move back to the primary screen. So, when running media center on the secondary monitor, I am restricted to that monitor. Any ideas? Thanks

Comment from Leonard Frank
Time: March 3, 2007, 7:34 am

I am trying to set up a clone display on windows vista with an LCD and a TV but it will only let me display one at a time either the LCD or the TV i have tried all the settings but it does appear to work can you help?
Does the HP A1777 c-b desktop have the ability to display both the LCD and the TV at the same time.

Comment from Andy
Time: November 21, 2007, 3:40 pm

Wow! Thanks so much. This has been bothering me for months. I would have assumed it would have been “automagic” or that there was some strange issue that would be difficult to fix.

Comment from Damodar Chetty
Time: April 21, 2008, 5:02 pm

I was going nuts … and I’d tried *everything*. Well, at least, everything but dragging the *@#$% monitors on the dialog (incl. upgrading my drivers, setting color depths, and pushing every button and tweaking every tweakable setting on the Advanced dialogs).

Why couldn’t this just be the default? Who in their right mind would *want* a 2 inch drop between their monitors?

Thanks a million!

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